How to Register in Germany as an Expat: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Hari Krishnan
- Nov 3, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 21, 2024
As soon as you process your visa and land in Germany, one of the first steps you should be doing is your - registration in Germany - in the Bürgerbüro (local citizen’s office) in your town and get the meldebescheinigung OR Anmeldebescheinigung OR Anmeldebestätigung.
If you are planning to live in Germany, one of the first things you need to do is to register your address in Germany with the local authorities. Anmeldung is a legal requirement that applies to everyone who moves to Germany, whether they are German citizens or foreigners. In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about how to register in Germany, including the benefits, the documents, the steps, and the deadlines.
What documents do you need to register in Germany?
To register in Germany, you need to provide the following documents:
A valid passport or identity card
A registration form (Anmeldeformular), which you can download from the website of your local registration office (Bürgeramt) or get from them in person
A confirmation of your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), which is a document that proves that you have moved into your new address. You can ask your landlord to fill out this form or use a template that you can find online
A marriage certificate or a birth certificate, if you are registering with your spouse or children
A visa or a residence permit, if you are not an EU citizen
How do you register in Germany?
Some cities like Munich, already started online anmeldung process for people who moved within the city (Umzug). In other cities like, Berlin, Hamburg, or Frankfurt, you still need to go to the Bürgeramt to register your address. Additionally, for registering your address for the first time in Germany, you need to go to the Bürgeramt to register your address.
To register in Germany, you need to follow these steps:
Fill out your Anmeldung form (the registration form): If you are in Munich, you can download the registration form here.
Get an appointment at the Bürgeramt: Most cities like Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, etc,. now offer online appointment booking. Simply go to the service portal of your city, enter your postal code to get the online anmeldung appointment in the nearest Bürgeramt.
On the day of your appointment, collect all your document listed above, and go to the specified spot in your appointment letter, handover your documents, sign some forms, pay a fee (last time when I registered it was €50 if I am not wrong) and get your registration immediately.
When do you need to register in Germany?
You need to register in Germany within 14 days of moving to your new address. If you fail to do so, you may face fines of up to 1000 euros and other consequences, such as losing your right to vote or being denied social benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to register as soon as possible after arriving in Germany.
What is registration and why do you need it?
Registration (Anmeldung) is the process of informing the local authorities of your place of residence in Germany. You need to register every time you move to a new address within Germany, or when you first arrive in the country. Registration is important for several reasons:
It allows you to get a tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer), which you need for paying taxes and receiving social benefits.
It enables you to open a bank account, get a phone contract, and access other services that require proof of address.
It entitles you to vote in local elections and referendums.
It helps you avoid fines and penalties for not complying with the law.
What do I need meldebescheinigung for?
The registration certificate is necessary for many processes in Germany, such as:
Enrolment in a university
Not only the items listed above, it might also be required for other purposes such as getting a monthly travel card for the public transport or even to get a phone contract in Germany.
How long does it take to get the meldebescheinigung
If you present all these documents and if they are through, you will get the registration certificate right there. Soon after you register, the information will be passed over to the tax department and you will receive your tax ID via post.
